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After carving a free state for itself in war-torn 17th-century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia, must contend with France's infamous Cardinal Richilieu, who is determined to keep his grip on power no matter what history says.
France, 1636 ... It has been twenty years since King Louis took Aña Maria Mauricia, daughter of Spain's King Philip III, as his wife, and their union has not yet produced an heir. Under the guidance of his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu, a plan is developed to remedy that situation. Once she is with child, Queen Anne goes into seclusion to guard her health and protect her from those who would prefer that the child is never born—France's foreign enemies as well as schemers such as Monsieur Gaston d'Orleans, the King's younger brother and heir. When the Crown's opponents make their move, factions inside and outside France must choose sides and help determine the future and fate of the kingdom.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
August 15, 2015 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781490683355
- File size: 369312 KB
- Duration: 12:49:23
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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April 9, 2012
The latest installment of the massively multiauthor Ring of Fire series (after 1636: The Saxon Uprising), chronicling an alternate history in which the modern-day American town of Grantville is transported to the 17th century, stars “up-timer” auto mechanic Bernie Zeppi, who’s hired by Russian prince Vladimir Gorchakov to bring the prince’s country up to speed technologically. There’s a great deal of charm to the reactions of 21st-century Americans when confronted by things they’ve only read about in history books, and likewise in 17th-century Russians trying to decipher Bernie’s gadgets. Technology’s not the most dangerous thing he’s brought, though: his American ideas threaten to bring down Russia as its nobility knows it. The politicking and violence touched off by a spark of democracy prove explosive indeed. The story is better than the writing, but the plain prose manages to stay out of the way of interesting characters and a well-constructed plot filled with satisfying measures of comedy, romance, political intrigue, and action.
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